SCLAV ONI AN GRLIiE. 
PODICEPS COmUTUS. 
AVhile collecting in the Highlands in the latter end of May 1868, I received word from a keeper that a Grebe 
with which he was unacquainted had taken up its quarters at a small loch near the west coast of Ross-shire. 
His description first led me to believe it was a lled-necked Grebe ; and a drawing of that species having been 
shown to him, he stated that it appeared to he that bird. After a second and nearer inspection through the 
glass obtained on his next visit to the loch, the remarks made by the man convinced me that if a Grebe at all 
and not a Diving-Duck, it must he the Sclavonian. Being fully engaged with other matters, I had not sufiicient 
time at my disposal to look thoroughly after this interesting stranger, and consequently the keeper was 
despatched to watch the spot closely and ascertain if a pair giving indications of remaining to nest in the 
district could he detected. One bird only was observed, though this was almost constantly in view while he 
remained on the look-out ; when at length I obtained a chance to visit this lonely and wind-swept loch, some 
laddies tending the farmers’ cattle had brought down their beasts to the waterside, and the object of our 
search (of which only a momentary glimpse had been caught) was driven to seek the shelter of the stunted 
bushes and beds of rushes that fringed the shore. Another attempt was made later in the day; and on this 
occasion blinding squalls, with drifting sleet and rain, followed one another in rapid succession ; and in the 
end we were forced to leave the spot without having satisfactorily identified the bird. Rough weather had 
evidently set in ; and the westerly swells rolling across the open water towards the only part of the loch Avhere 
sufficient shelter for a nest could be obtained, rendered it utterly useless to prepare the india-rubber boat to 
explore the cover, as, owing to the foam lashed up by the squalls, it would be impossible to catch sight of the 
bird. From information received to-day (March 10, 1885) from the keeper previously referred to, I learn that 
the Grebes, which still remain unidentified, annually frequent the same piece of water (Loch-na-Feaderach), 
and have regularly reared their young. Last summer two pairs were seen for the first time on the loch, and 
later on a couple of broods appeared. I also heard from the owner of the ground that another pair of Grebes, 
evidently of the same species, frequent a small loch two miles further to the north, and breed there every 
year. As I have received word that if a specimen can he obtained it shall he forwarded to me for identification, 
there is hope that, if I am not able to revisit the locality, the uncertainty as to the species may still he 
solved. These are the only instances that have come to my knowledge where the Sclavonian Grebe might 
reasonably be imagined to have bred in this country. In June 1870 I noticed another in full plumage on one 
of the Norfolk broads; hut on making inquiries it was ascertained that during the previous winter the keeper 
had knocked down a bird of this species, and discovering shortly after that his prize had recovered from the 
effects of the shot, it was pinioned and then turned out on the broad. 
This species has come under my observation during one season or another in almost every county I have 
visited. Along the Sussex coast specimens are to be seen both in spring and winter, and the same remarks also 
apply to Norfolk and Suffolk. In the east of Ross-shire and also in Sutherland, on both the fresh- and salt- 
